- #1
emperrotta
- 11
- 0
I am new to Quantum Mechanics. In my University Physics class, we discussed the concepts of matter waves and the electron cloud. In describing an electron as a probability wave, is that a way of saying that an electron in an atom is a particle that does not move in any clear path such as the model we are taught early in our education of an electron having a circular orbit around the nucleus, rather, the electron is a particle with a random path relative to a circular path that has certain probabilities of bringing the electron to certain locations at any given time? Additionally, the shape of this probability wave is a function of a electron's quantum state within the atom.
Furthermore, I am trying to put my head around orbital angular momentum and spin angular momentum for electrons. Now, I understand that angular momentum in these two terms does not have the same meaning as it does in Newtonian Mechanics. However, let's say, two electrons are in shell n=4. One electron has a value of l=3 for its orbital quantum number and the other electron has a value of l=1. By the equation:
L =[tex]\sqrt{l(l+1)}[/tex]hbar
L=orbital angular momentum
the electron with l=3 should have a higher orbital angular momentum than the electron with l=1. I know neither electron is moving in a circular path, but does the electron with a higher momentum move faster in its path since it has more momentum.
Thanks for help, anyone.
Furthermore, I am trying to put my head around orbital angular momentum and spin angular momentum for electrons. Now, I understand that angular momentum in these two terms does not have the same meaning as it does in Newtonian Mechanics. However, let's say, two electrons are in shell n=4. One electron has a value of l=3 for its orbital quantum number and the other electron has a value of l=1. By the equation:
L =[tex]\sqrt{l(l+1)}[/tex]hbar
L=orbital angular momentum
the electron with l=3 should have a higher orbital angular momentum than the electron with l=1. I know neither electron is moving in a circular path, but does the electron with a higher momentum move faster in its path since it has more momentum.
Thanks for help, anyone.